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Farewell To an Awesome Ice Season (Part 1)

Guest Blog by: Shane DuBois 4/15/2013

While most people were getting that last open water fishing of the season in back in late October, the sound of a four wheeler rang through the mountainsides. About 11,000 feet up in elevation there was a different type of fishing to be had for the first time in over 7 months. We had been bitten by the ice fishing bug, and decided to go high into the mountains to search for first ice to break in the new gear. The fish are not monsters, but it sure was good to be ice fishing again, and at 11,000 feet up, the scenery is something in itself.

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After a few weeks of high country icing, some lower lakes finally started freezing over, and we were there for some first ice action at Antero Reservoir. We fished along the dam as that was one of the few areas that had “safe” ice at 3-4 inches thick. Fishing was great, and what made it even for fun, were the salmon spawning under the ice. The water was shallow, and mainly clear, so you could see them cruising around, and swatting at your jig. Small white tubes, and Dynamic Lures HD Ice were the ticket on catching many fish, and using JawJackers for the dead-stick rod tipped with shrimp worked well too. I had the pleasure to fish with so many friends early ice season, it made for a wonderful time of BS’ing, joking, and yes my occasional whine…haha Some very nice fish were landed on first ice, and the browns definitely were in prime spawning colors.

Pretty soon, most of the lakes were frozen over, and ice fishing season was in full flight here in the Rocky Mountains, and also in the Denver Metro area. This gave anglers opportunities to fish for Smallies, Walleye, Crappie, etc through the ice. There are so many choices in presentations, and lures to use, not to mention which species of fish to fish for! We targeted a variety of fish during this time of the season and most of the time were rewarded with a lake “Grand Slam,” which consists of 4 or more different species of fish caught in one day on the same lake. As you can see below Colorado has great fishing opportunities to catch fish other than trout.

opencage, CO 4/15/2013 2:08:42 PMGreat write-up and great pics.
Almost makes me miss hard water season... almost :-)
Congrats on the laker!

sportfisher, CO 4/15/2013 4:02:55 PMI too had a very educational ice season. It turned out to be my best year yet. Looking forward to this ice season to come.

Shane DuBois (reconfisher), CO 4/15/2013 4:09:16 PMThanks open! Sport, yea its fun fishing with you and giving you grief which i get right back! makes for a fun time fishing!

IndieCon, CO 4/15/2013 4:53:36 PMI really enjoyed this blog post, Shane and thanks for it. Great job! I really entered into the ice fishing world deeper this winter, purchasing my own hand auger, one-man shelter, another rod and a bunch of tackle.
Thoroughly enjoyed my trips to the Black Hills and the North Park lakes. What a blast and I learned a lot. Am looking forward to gleaning from you experts here in FX.
Thanks again!

Shane DuBois (reconfisher), CO 4/15/2013 5:51:02 PMNo problem! This goes to show that Colorado DOES have waters holding trophy size fish! Being from WI, yes we are spoiled in having such awesome fisheries that hold large quantities of larger fish. Here in CO those fish are not as abundant, but they are present! Just keep at it and eventually you will get one and it will be more rewarding! If you have any questions etc feel free to shoot me an email: Shane@dynamiclures.com